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Sorry, Charlie! (Tune-Up Recalled)

What could be more embarrassing than having to release a bug fix to protect users from a bug that can destroy their data? Having to release a bug fix to protect users from the first bug fix! Apple was embarrassed in just this way last week, when they realized that System 7 Tune-Up 1.1 was defective, and needed to be replaced. System 7 Tune-Up 1.1.1 was released at the end of last week to fix the problem.

According to an anonymous source, when the final version of System 7 Tune-Up 1.1 was compiled, a previous version of a header file was used. As a result, the Tuner accessed the wrong Process Manager globals, creating a potential crash hazard in the application purging routines. The problem apparently would only appear in certain kinds of low-memory situations, so it went unnoticed until after Tune-Up 1.1 had been released.

Apple is currently recommending that all users of System 7 (both 7.0 and 7.0.1) install the System 7 Tune-Up 1.1.1 package. Previous versions of the Tune-Up package will be replaced by the Installer.

In addition to using the Installer, which comes with the Tune-Up, users have the option of dragging the "Tuner Parts" folder from the distribution disk to their System Folders. An undocumented feature of Finder 7 will automatically install the contents of any folder that's dropped on the System Folder. (Try it! It works!)

Users wishing to protect themselves from the dreaded Disappearing Folders bug should immediately install System 7 Tune-Up 1.1.1. Tune-Up 1.1.1 should be available from the usual suspects, and can be obtained on the Internet from Apple's FTP server at ftp.apple.com [130.43.2.3] in the directory dts/mac/sys.soft/7.0.tuneup/